Nectarine tree named &#39;NJN103&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct nectarine variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJN103’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other nectarine varieties by its unique combination of showy flowers, glossy semi-freestone fruit, with an attractive red over color, ripening in early-midseason, with white juicy flesh, and sweet, moderately acidic flavor that is maintained following cold storage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica L.

Variety denomination: NJN103.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree named ‘NJN103’. Our new tree resulted from crossing ‘Fantasia’ (non-patented) nectarine as the seed parent with ‘NJN100’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,147) nectarine tree as the pollen parent. The new variety differs from seed parent ‘Fantasia’ in that the new variety has white flesh instead of yellow, and ripens about four weeks earlier. The new variety differs from pollen parent ‘NJN100’ in that the new variety produces larger fruit that ripen about 10 days later. The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the 42^(nd) tree in the 54^(th) row of Block K at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJN103’ variety is distinguished from other nectarine varieties due to the following unique combination of characteristics:

-   -   Nearly round to broad elliptic fruit with a low tendency to         split when adequately cropped.     -   Large, glossy fruit with an attractive red over color that have         white flesh.     -   Good production of firm fruit that ripen in early-midseason.     -   Fruit with a good to very good eating quality that are sweet and         moderately acidic

The variety was asexually reproduced at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding onto ‘Lovell’ peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) shows that the foregoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJN103’. The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in a cultivated area at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability) or other factors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (1966).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings, depicting the nectarine tree by the best possible color representation using color photography. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilization rate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 16, 2013 of a characteristic twig of ‘NJN103’ in late spring bearing typical leaves of the foliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 8, 2013 of characteristic mature fruit and stones of ‘NJN103’. Whole fruit are presented in three positions and both a transverse and longitudinal cross section to illustrate that the pericarp does not adhere to the pit when the fruit is mature. The stones exemplify the obovate shape and pits and grooves on the surface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustrates the typical flower buds and large, showy flowers of ‘NJN103’ observed on a tree at said fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Apr. 23, 2014.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a dormant tree of ‘NJN103’, prior to pruning, in late winter that illustrates the spreading growth habit of a tree at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Feb. 8, 2016.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 17, 2015 of immature bark of ‘NJN103’ that illustrates color and the moderate density of conspicuous elliptic lenticels on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 11, 2015 of mature bark of ‘NJN103’ that illustrates greyed-green color and rough texture with many shallow furrows of the mature bark.

The colors of and illustration of this type may vary with lighting and other conditions under which conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJN103’ variety is based on observations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was six years of age and growing on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (non-patented) at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

-   Scientific name: Prunus persica L. -   Parentage:     -   -   Seed parent.—Fantasia.         -   Pollen parent.—‘NJN100’. -   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Plant hardiness zone.—Growth of plants has only been             observed in zone 6b.         -   Dormant flower bud cold tolerance.—At least to −20° C.         -   Overall shape.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Average as compared to other nectarine cultivars.             For example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on             ‘Lovell’ peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at six             years after planting shows an average height of 3.4 meters             when grown in Cream Ridge, N.J.         -   Width.—Average as compared to other nectarine cultivars. For             example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’             peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at six years after             planting shows an average width of 4.6 meters when grown in             Cream Ridge, N.J.         -   Caliper.—Six year old tree is 59 cm in circumference             measured at 20 cm from the ground. -   Trunk and branches:     -   -   Trunk bark texture.—Rough with many shallow furrows.         -   Trunk bark color.—Greyed-green (between RHS 197C and RHS             197D).         -   Primary branches.—Branches that are approximately 16 cm in             circumference are greyed-green (between RHS 198C and RHS             198D). Lenticels: Moderate density, approximately 1.0 per             square cm; elliptical in shape and conspicuous; typical             examples of which averaged 5.3 mm in length and 2.7 mm in             width; greyed-green (RHS 198D) in color becoming             greyed-orange (RHS 173C) towards the center. Branch             pubescence: None. New growth bark: Greyed-purple (RHS 183A)             in sun; color yellow-green (RHS 152D) in shade.         -   Internodes.—Length averaging 25.8 mm on a one-year shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Texture.—Glabrous, both surfaces.         -   Sheen.—Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish on the             underside.         -   Length.—About 166 mm to 198 mm, averaging about 186 mm             including the petiole.         -   Width.—About 37 mm to 42 mm, averaging about 40 mm.         -   Petiole.—Averaging 11.68 mm long and about 2.0 mm in             diameter.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin undulation.—Moderate.         -   Form.—Lanceolate, and concave in cross section.         -   Apex.—Sharply acuminate, curved downward.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Venation.—Pinnate.         -   Glands.—Number: About 2 to 4, averaging about 2.8. Position:             Generally, located on the leaf margin near its base and             petiole. Size: Length averaging 1.5 mm and width averaging             1.0 mm. Form: Reniform.         -   Stipules.—None observed on mature leaves.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface: Green (between RHS 137B and             RHS 137C). Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (between RHS             147B and RHS 147C). Vein: Yellow-green (RHS 145D).         -   Pubescence.—None. -   Flowers:     -   -   Size.—Large size, typical flower measuring between 30 mm to             50 mm, averaging about 40 mm across.         -   Color.—Dormant bud: Grey (RHS 201D) becoming Grey (RHS 201A)             near the base. Pink stage bud: Red-purple (between RHS 62A             and RHS 62B). Open flower: Red (RHS 56C).         -   Petals.—Typically five petals per flower; cupped, nearly             round, with moderate undulation at the margin, averaging             about 21.1 mm long and 19.3 mm wide.         -   Petal apex.—Obtuse, nearly rounded.         -   Petal base.—Cuneate.         -   Stamens.—Number: Variable, typical range 35 and 43,             averaging 38.4. Length: Variable, between 8 mm to 14 mm,             averaging 11.5 mm. Filament color: White (RHS155D). Anther             color: Adaxial surface is greyed-red (RHS 180B); abaxial             surface is (RHS 161B) greyed-yellow.         -   Pistil.—Number: One. Size: Length between 18 and 22 mm,             averaging 20.4 mm. Pistil color: Yellow-green (RHS 145B).             Ovary: Glabrous and ellipsoid in shape, color yellow-green             (RHS 145A).         -   Sepals.—Number: Five. Pubescence: Length short, fine, low             density becoming denser near the margin. Color: Greyed-red             (RHS 182A) becoming greyed-green (RHS 197B) near the margin.             Shape: Triangular, with a rounded apex. Size: Length             averaging 6.8 mm, width averaging 4.5 mm.         -   Nectar cup color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 163B).         -   Pollen.—Abundant; yellow (RHS 11A) in color.         -   Fragrance.—Very slight.         -   Bloom season.—Onset of bloom in 2014 on April 16; full bloom             on April 24. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Large, averaging about 7.2 cm long, 6.7 cm wide             parallel to the suture and 6.7 cm wide perpendicular to the             suture.         -   Typical weight.—172 g.         -   Form.—Longitudinal section: Nearly round. Traverse section:             Nearly round to broad elliptic.         -   Suture.—Shallow.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Round; apex tip is a small, point.         -   Stem.—Average length of 9.3 mm and an average diameter of             3.7 mm.         -   Skin.—Thickness: Medium. Surface: Glabrous, typically             glossy. Tenacity: Medium. Astringency: None. Tendency to             crack: Low. Color: Red (between RHS 53A and 38A) blush;             ground color yellow-orange (RHS 18D).         -   Fruit properties.—Flesh color: White (RHS 155C) mottled with             red (RHS 42A) near the skin and the stone. Flesh adhesion:             Semi-freestone, sometimes becoming freestone when fully             mature. Juice: Moderate. Texture: Melting. Fibers: Not             noticeable. Ripens: Between July 21 and July 31 at Cream             Ridge, N.J. Flavor: Typically sweet and moderately acidic.             Soluble solids: 11.6%. Aroma: Moderate. Eating quality: Good             to very good.         -   Keeping quality.—Medium. Has held its flavor and firmness             for at least 14 days in cold storage at 1° C. to 2° C.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. No bruising or scaring disorders             have been observed.         -   Usage.—Dessert.         -   Market.—Local and long distance.         -   Productivity.—Moderate. Trees have produced a full crop in 6             out of 10 years, and at least a partial crop in 8 out of 10             years at Cream Ridge, N.J. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-freestone sometimes becoming freestone when soft             ripe.         -   Form.—Obovate.         -   Base.—Medium.         -   Apex.—Narrow.         -   Surface.—Pits and grooves.         -   Ventral suture.—Small to medium, truncated at apex.         -   Dorsal ridge.—Low to medium height, broad width, forming             deep lines.         -   External color.—Greyed-orange (between RHS 165C and RHS             165D).         -   Cavity surface color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 165D).         -   Average stone dry weight.—6.3 g.         -   Average stone wall thickness.—Varies between 5.2 mm along             the dorsal ridge to 9.5 mm at the base.         -   Size.—Averages about 39.5 mm long, 24.6 mm wide parallel to             the dorsal ridge, and 19.9 mm wide perpendicular to the             dorsal ridge.         -   Tendency to split.—Typically low when well cropped.         -   Kernel.—Form: Elliptic to slightly obovate. Skin color:             Greyed-orange (RHS 165B). Vein color: Greyed-orange (RHS             165C). Viability: Yes, but may need to be germinated in             tissue culture. Size: Averages about 19.2 mm long, 11.8 mm             wide, and 1.8 mm in breadth. -   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical     resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural     practices. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as herein shown and described. 